Sanoma Learning (SL) is the largest focused K12 learning materials and services provider in Europe, reaching about 20 million students across 11 countries. Our best in class teaching methods in combination with our digital platforms allow us to help European K12 students reach their potential.

Our more than 2,700 colleagues have a deep rooted passion for education. We believe education is the key to reach the potential of students and we feel privileged to be able to play a significant role in this journey. The opportunity to contribute to the development of future generations is why we are passionate, committed and always willing to go the extra mile for students, teachers, schools and each other.

We plan to continue our growth trajectory both through M&A and through winning in our markets due to our excellent products and innovative commercial models. We are undergoing multiple transformation processes, for the successful management of which we are seeking to strengthen our in-house capacities in strategy. Consequently, we are looking for a Strategy Manager to join our global Strategy team.

The Strategy Manager will have the opportunity to engage in projects such as:

• Strategic Planning cycle – reviewing and updating the market analysis, overarching strategic logic, financial forecasts, risk management etc.;
• initiatives in proactively transforming Sanoma Learning business by increasing collaboration across markets and post-merger integration;
• or supporting commercial due diligences;
• Sanoma Learning’s position, plans and impact into a narrative for communicating to the capital markets and key stakeholders.

The Strategy Manager will work closely with the central Product function, the Functional Control team in the Finance function, as well as with Sanoma Learning companies across Europe, in particular with colleagues in Segment Management (i.e. commercial and publishing leaders) and Strategy, Research and Insights.

As the projects the Strategy Manager will be leading are of central importance to the company, s/he will have direct exposure to Managing Directors of Sanoma Learning companies and to Sanoma Learning C-level leadership. S/he will contribute to thought leadership of the company and will have the ability to influence the decisions of senior executives.

The Strategy Manager’s role can be seen as one of internal management consultant. Accordingly, s/he will have the opportunity to leverage their expertise across all domains of management consulting, ranging from pure strategy through marketing and pricing, to organisation, to M&A/PMM. Moreover, as the K12 publishing market is undergoing deep changes and Sanoma Learning is its leading player in Europe, this role offers an opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of European learning.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Problem-solving:

• issues faced by Sanoma Learning businesses, breaking them down into logically structured, MECE questions. Designs and implements (or works with others to implement) fact-based analyses (both data-driven and qualitative-insight-driven) to answer these questions. Consequently, provides actionable recommendations on how to address the issue at hand;
• the issues faced by Sanoma Learning businesses in a given domain to prioritise the problem-solving of these with highest impact;
• writes and delivers well-structured, top-down presentations on specific topics within Sanoma Learning strategy and key initiatives – including analyses and recommendations based on facts and aligned with the relevant stakeholders.

Project Leadership:

• projects and workstreams within the Sanoma Learning strategy domain;
• to projects at Sanoma Learning or operating companies where others lead, demonstrating good teamwork.

Market Expertise:

• to building thought leadership on the societal value of Sanoma Learning products, such as the role of learning methods in educational outcomes and efficiency of educational systems;
• an understanding of the pedagogical, educational-policy, economic and technological context in which the market operates;
• to identifying and defining the most critical factors in the competitive landscape.

Key requirements

• degree required, advanced degree preferred;
• years of experience in a top management consulting firm;
• experience in education and/or software, publishing, media businesses is not a prerequisite but will be an advantage;
• analytical skills, both quantitative (including a sound understanding of financial metrics) and qualitative;
• written, visual and oral communication skills, particularly in preparing and delivering eloquent and concise management presentations;
• people skills, including demonstrated ability to quickly build networks across a complex organisation and manage multiple stakeholders;
• to work in a fast-paced environment and to manage complexity and ambiguity;
• player attitude with experience working in a matrixed, international environment;
• in English. Other languages in our footprint valued